Prokofieff opera from Glyndebourne and the Bolshoi(July 2006) Two of Serge Prokofieff's operas are staged in the UK over the coming month, with Betrothal in a Monastery at Glyndebourne and The Fiery Angel in the Bolshoi's season at the Royal Opera House in London.
Glyndebourne's new production of Betrothal in a Monastery, running between 23 July and 25 August, is the first by a professional UK company - it has previously only been seen in stagings by touring companies and conservatoire students. Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a cast including a rich array of Russian singers, and the production is by Daniel Slater. Betrothal in a Monastery is a lyrical adaptation of Sheridan's The Duenna, rightly described by Shostakovich as "one of Prokofieff's most radiant and buoyant works". Intrigues develop around a pair of Spanish lovers, with Prokofieff providing passionate music akin to his Romeo and Juliet, while comic confusion centres on the ‘duenna’ and the fish merchant Mendoza, depicted with sharp wit familiar from The Love for Three Oranges. The opera is available from Philips both as a CD (4621072) and a recently released DVD (0743076PH) from the Mariinsky Theatre conducted by Valery Gergiev. For further information visit the Glyndebourne website. Darker fare is provided by the Bolshoi Opera when its visit to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden includes Prokofieff’s macabre The Fiery Angel in a new production by Francesca Zambello (25/26 July). A riveting drama of obsession and passion, the tale of the tormented Renata’s doomed search for her mystical ‘Fiery Angel’ unfolds in scenes of terrifying visions and compelling drama, in a powerful production in which magnificent singing and acting and stunning sets make it one of the jewels in the crown of the Bolshoi Opera. For full details of the Bolshoi's residency at Covent Garden visit the Victor Hochhauser site, and visit the Royal Opera House site to book tickets. Photo: Prokofieff's The Fiery Angel in the new production by the Bolshoi Opera > News Search |
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